This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 8/12/2011.
In the fall of 1973, pro basketball fans heard the news about Wilt Chamberlain’s defection from the Lakers of the NBA to the San Diego Conquistadors, and wondered whether he would actually play in the ABA. Many writers felt that with Wilt in the middle, the Q's would contend for the Western Division title, and possibly the ABA championship. In the first few weeks of the 1973-74 season, the courts made all of this speculation meaningless. Wilt was prevented from playing, and was only allowed to coach. In September 1974, San Diego Conquistadors players stood in a row until summoned, one by one, to dribble down the lane to their doom, to where Coach Wilt Chamberlain was waiting. With little apparent effort, Chamberlain rejected their pitifully human lay-ups, fly-swatting them to various distant parts of the USD gym. Wilt was letting them know who was boss. Chamberlain was the coach of the Q’s for one season, 1973-74. His only role with the team was a coaching role which included playing in team scrimmages. This practice worn jersey originates from the collection of the Q’s former trainer. On the front of this yellow and red reversible mesh practice jersey is “SAN DIEGO Q’s” heat vinyl pressed in red block lettering. At the center is a red heat pressed basketball with Wilt’s number “13”. Inside the rear tail is the “Champion” manufacturer’s tag with shirt size “XX-LARGE”. The jersey shows light wear and appears to have no alterations of any kind. Accompanied by a LOA from the Q’s trainer.